Stumpff's leaf chameleon (Brookesia stumpffi)

Short answers

Stumpff's leaf chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

40×40×40 cm.

Stumpff's leaf chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 16–20 °C.

Stumpff's leaf chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2–5 %).

Stumpff's leaf chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 3–5 years.

Stumpff's leaf chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

75–90 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2–5 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×40×40 cm

Substrate

Coco humus with a thick layer of leaf litter, moss, low twigs

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies, springtails, micro crickets

Feeding interval

daily to every other day

Key facts

Adult size

8–10 cm total length

Life expectancy

3–5 years

Origin

Nosy Be und Nachbarinseln, Nordwest-Madagaskar – Regenwald (bis ca. 150 m)

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – this is the least stressful option. A pair (one male, one female) works only in a sufficiently large, densely structured enclosure with many hiding places so the animals can avoid each other; never keep males together. Males of this species are strongly aggressive towards each other; at most one male with one female, or a small group of females, is recommended. There are reports of Brookesia kept together in trios, but permanent contact can cause stress.

Notes

A ground-dwelling leaf chameleon, in the leaf litter by day and sleeping on low twigs at night. It needs leaf litter rather than climbing height – the furnishing is completely different from that of classic chameleons.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Stumpff's leaf chameleon (Brookesia stumpffi) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Betsch's leaf chameleon (Brookesia betschi) – Expert
• Brygoo's leaf chameleon (Brookesia brygooi) – Expert
• Decary's leaf chameleon (Brookesia decaryi) – Intermediate
• Ebenau's leaf chameleon (Brookesia ebenaui) – Expert
• Armoured leaf chameleon (Brookesia perarmata) – Expert
• Griveaud's leaf chameleon (Brookesia griveaudi) – Expert
• Karche's leaf chameleon (Brookesia karchei) – Expert
• Minute leaf chameleon (Brookesia minima) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Stumpff's leaf chameleon (Brookesia stumpffi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×40×40 cm), substrate (Coco humus with a thick layer of leaf litter, moss, low twigs), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.